Your tax dollars at work

So, how are you enjoying the Connecticut political campaign so far? How do you like those Tom Foley ads? How about the one Gov. Dan Malloy just rolled out?

You’d better like them, because you’re paying for ’em. In fact, if you could rake back the money you’re spending on political campaigns, you probably could afford to take the wife and kiddies to the movies, and even load up with popcorn and soda. The math: $35 million cost; 3.6 million folks in Connecticut. Yeah, you’d probably have to do the Sunday morning reduced-price program some theaters offer to be able to include the popcorn and soda. Anyway, you get the point. Whether you went to the movies or filled the jalopy with go-juice, you’d be choosing how your money is spent, rather than subsidizing a source of endless annoyance — campaign ads, thick and fast, beginning in midsummer and continuing through the autumn.

Reading this story, I got to thinking about a state lawmaker conservatives loved to hate, at least most of the time. There were times when former Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, broke from the herd.

Here’s a little something we published on the editorial page early in the 2010 state budget season:

Rare accord — Are you sitting down? We agree with Sen. Edith Prague, D-Columbia, on a matter of public policy. Sen. Prague wants to suspend the Citizens’ Election Program, Connecticut’s scheme for public financing of elections … . Of course, we would submit shutting down the program forever would be best, if only because it forces taxpayers to subsidize campaigns and candidates they may abhor. Still, suspending the program is a good start. Congratulations to Sen. Prague for singling out a costly program the state easily can do without.

Here’s the thing about campaign advertising. If you’re on top of the issues, the ads merely annoy you, even those from candidates you agree with. If you’re one of those low-information voters, the ads fill you with false impressions. And almost every incumbent wins anyway.

After the introduction of the Citizens’ Election Program, the number of uncontested seats decreased slightly with more challengers emerging to contest incumbents in the 2008 and 2010 election cycles. While some positive effects are seen by the 2010 election cycle with the margin of votes cast for winners narrowing in 41% of house races, the vast majority of house incumbents continue to win and do so by larger vote margins. Finally, the overall reelection rate for incumbents remained largely unchanged.

Why are we giving these people so much money? It just encourages ’em.

3 thoughts on “Your tax dollars at work”

JUST SAY NO TO TAXPAYER FUNDED CAMPAIGNS, I DID -I’m running for governor of Connecticut ( I’ve been in the race since April 4, 2013) as a petitioning candidate, formerly in the Republican field and I refuse to apply for Taxpayers campaign funds. Yes I’ve been elected before and I find it unconscionable that we as a state are now reaching into corporate revenue to subsidize campaigns because we’ve run out of money in the fund (which was compiled from taxpayer owned property). I’m Joe Visconti, Visconti for Governor. http://www.viscontiforgovernor.com
Paid for by Visconti for Governor, Susan Lavelli Treasurer, Approved by Joe Visconti

You are missing a much bigger point. The aggregate expenditure to date is much large than 35 million. My guess it is closer to 70 Million. and will continue to grow.This is the most egregious use of taxpayer money in the history of our state. Politicians complain about petty social welfare programs all the time. But these complaints pale in comparison to the ridiculous use of public money for personal gain that is represented here. Think of it this way. Let’s say a politician just wants some public money to promote themselves. all they need to do is run for public office and they are given free money to market themselves to the masses. How sad. Oh btw, done everyday in CT. This is a complete waste of money. Thank you Governor Rell and the Democratic Legislature. Worse thing you ever have done.

So the 2 richest candidates (Foleys net worth about 20 million) are taking taxpayer money to “help” with their campaign, and the working class “Average Joe” candidate refuses to take taxpayer money. Ask yourself, Who do you want running the state?

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